The United States has issued a stark warning that Hamas is planning an “imminent” attack on civilians in Gaza, which would breach the current ceasefire agreement with Israel.
In a statement released on Saturday, the US State Department said it had received “credible reports” indicating that Hamas was preparing to target Palestinian civilians. The department described the alleged plan as a “direct and grave violation” of the truce, warning that such action would “undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts.”
While the statement did not specify details of the planned attack, Washington said it had already informed the other guarantors of the Gaza peace deal Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. “Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” it added.
Hamas has yet to comment on the US statement.
President Donald Trump also warned Hamas earlier in the week, saying on Truth Social, “If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.” He later clarified that the US would not deploy troops to Gaza.
The warning comes amid ongoing tensions despite the ceasefire’s first phase being implemented. Israel has received all living hostages, while the bodies of deceased captives continue to be returned. In return, Israel has released 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel confirmed receiving two more bodies of hostages from Gaza, bringing the total returned to 10 out of 28.
The truce has also seen new violence. On Saturday, 11 members of a Palestinian family were killed by an Israeli tank shell in Gaza. The Israeli military claimed it targeted a “suspicious vehicle” that may have crossed into an occupied zone.
